Kevin Garnett Rips Timberwolves As Jimmy Butler Drama Worsens

TheSportster

By Alex Hoegler

Published Oct 12, 2018

Minnesota Timberwolves icon Kevin Garnett ripped his former team for the ongoing drama that's centered around Jimmy Butler.

Feb 11, 2018; Boston, MA, USA; Former Boston Celtics (left to right) Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, coach Doc Rivers and current general manager Danny Ainge look on during the second quarter of the game between the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Timberwolves still haven't traded disgruntled All-Star Jimmy Butler, and the drama has been escalating over the past several days as the team prepares for its season opener next Wednesday.

Butler requested a trade three weeks ago, and sat out the preseason and trained by himself while the Timberwolves took the road while exploring trade options. Butler returned to practice this week, and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that things got heated during the session.

Butler challenged his teammates during practice and screamed at general manager Scott Layden, saying "You (expletive) need me, Scott. You can't win without me."

The drama has caught the attention of Timberwolves legend Kevin Garnett, who shared his thoughts on the tense situation in an interview with Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic (h/t Timothy Rapp of Bleacher Report).

"I think both sides are a little delusional," Garnett said. "I think Jimmy thinks his worth is a little more than what it is. He's a very good player," I don't see him on the (Kevin Durant) and LeBron (James) level. But if they are A-plus, he's definitely A, A-minus...

"I don't know if he had the power to come out and force a trade like this. He can be disruptive, but I don't know if he actually had the clout to come out and do that. I don't know if Jimmy has enough juice to be that."

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Thursday that Butler held a meeting with his teammates and emphasized that he wanted to "compete" with them. Teammate Jeff Teague denied that a meeting took place.

The Timberwolves open up their season vs. the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, but there are no indications that a trade is close. Marc Stein of the New York Times reported that a trade with the Miami Heat fell through on the weekend. Miami reportedly offered Josh Richardson and a first-round pick for Butler.

The four-time All-Star can opt out of his contract and test the free agent market after the season. Butler rejected a four-year, $110 million contract extension from the Timberwolves this summer.

Whether or not a Butler trade happens before the season remains to be seen, but the Timberwolves need to act quickly if they want to end the drama once and for all.

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